Victims of Sexual AssaultVictims of Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is one of the most Sexual assault is one of the most traumatic types of criminal victimization. traumatic types of criminal victimization. Whereas most crime victims find it Whereas most crime victims find it difficult to discuss their victimization, difficult to discuss their victimization, sexual assault victims find it especially sexual assault victims find it especially painfulpainful

One obvious reason for this is the One obvious reason for this is the difficulty that many people have in talking difficulty that many people have in talking about sex. A more important reason, about sex. A more important reason, however, is that many victims of sexual however, is that many victims of sexual assault are intensely traumatized not only assault are intensely traumatized not only by the humiliation of their physical by the humiliation of their physical violation but by the fear of being severely violation but by the fear of being severely injured or killed.injured or killed.

        

  The three primary responsibilities of law The three primary responsibilities of law enforcement in sexual assault cases are to enforcement in sexual assault cases are to

(1) protect, interview, and support the victim; (1) protect, interview, and support the victim; (2) investigate the crime and apprehend the (2) investigate the crime and apprehend the

perpetrator; andperpetrator; and (3) collect and preserve evidence of the (3) collect and preserve evidence of the

assault that will assist in the prosecution of the assault that will assist in the prosecution of the assailant. assailant.

    

      In the investigation and prosecution of most In the investigation and prosecution of most sexual assault cases, the role of the victim is sexual assault cases, the role of the victim is much more important than in other crimes much more important than in other crimes since the victim is usually the sole witness to since the victim is usually the sole witness to the crime. Unfortunately, sexual assault victims the crime. Unfortunately, sexual assault victims are sometimes reluctant to cooperate with law are sometimes reluctant to cooperate with law enforcement because they fear the perpetrator enforcement because they fear the perpetrator will return to retaliate, or that law enforcement will return to retaliate, or that law enforcement will not believe themwill not believe them..

        

Only men and women who have suffered the Only men and women who have suffered the trauma of sexual assault themselves can trauma of sexual assault themselves can begin to understand the depth and complexity begin to understand the depth and complexity of the feelings experienced by sexual assault of the feelings experienced by sexual assault victims. Even so, your approach as a first victims. Even so, your approach as a first responder to sexual assault victims can responder to sexual assault victims can significantly affect whether the victims begin significantly affect whether the victims begin the road to recovery or suffer years of trauma the road to recovery or suffer years of trauma and anguishand anguish

Tips for Responding to Tips for Responding to Victims of Sexual AssaultVictims of Sexual Assault

Be prepared for virtually any type of Be prepared for virtually any type of emotional reaction by victims. Be emotional reaction by victims. Be unconditionally supportive and permit unconditionally supportive and permit victims to express their emotions, which victims to express their emotions, which may include crying, angry outbursts, and may include crying, angry outbursts, and screaming.screaming.

Avoid interpreting the victim's calmness Avoid interpreting the victim's calmness or composure as evidence that a sexual or composure as evidence that a sexual assault did or did not occur. The victim assault did or did not occur. The victim could be in shock. (Note: False could be in shock. (Note: False accusations of sexual assault are accusations of sexual assault are estimated to occur at the low rate of 2 estimated to occur at the low rate of 2 percent—similar to the rate of false percent—similar to the rate of false accusations for other violent crimes.)accusations for other violent crimes.)

Approach victims calmly. Showing your Approach victims calmly. Showing your outrage at the crime may cause victims outrage at the crime may cause victims even more trauma.even more trauma.

Ask victims whether they would like you Ask victims whether they would like you to contact a family member or friendto contact a family member or friend

Offer to contact a sexual assault crisis Offer to contact a sexual assault crisis counselor. Ask victims whether they counselor. Ask victims whether they would prefer a male or female counselor. would prefer a male or female counselor. In addition, ask the victims whether they In addition, ask the victims whether they would prefer talking with you or a law would prefer talking with you or a law enforcement officer of the opposite sex.enforcement officer of the opposite sex.

Be careful not to appear overprotective or Be careful not to appear overprotective or patronizing.patronizing.

Remember that it is normal for victims to Remember that it is normal for victims to want to forget, or to actually forget, want to forget, or to actually forget, details of the crime that are difficult for details of the crime that are difficult for them to accept especially to check for them to accept especially to check for possible internal injuries. In addition, a possible internal injuries. In addition, a medical examination can provide medical examination can provide evidence Encourage victims to get evidence Encourage victims to get medical attention, for the apprehension medical attention, for the apprehension and prosecution of the victim's assailant.and prosecution of the victim's assailant.

Keep in mind, however, that victims may Keep in mind, however, that victims may feel humiliated and embarrassed that feel humiliated and embarrassed that their bodies were exposed during the their bodies were exposed during the sexual assault and must be exposed sexual assault and must be exposed again during a medical examination. again during a medical examination. Explain what will take place forensically Explain what will take place forensically during the examination and why these during the examination and why these procedures are importantprocedures are important

Notify the hospital of the incoming Notify the hospital of the incoming victim/patient and request a private victim/patient and request a private waiting room. Escort victims to the waiting room. Escort victims to the hospital. If no crisis intervention hospital. If no crisis intervention counselor is available, wait at the hospital counselor is available, wait at the hospital until victims are released and escort until victims are released and escort them to their destination.them to their destination.

Be mindful of the personal, interpersonal, Be mindful of the personal, interpersonal, and privacy concerns of victims. They and privacy concerns of victims. They may have a number of concerns, may have a number of concerns, including the possibility of having been including the possibility of having been impregnated or contracting sexually impregnated or contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as the AIDS transmitted diseases such as the AIDS virus;virus;

the reactions of their spouse, mate, or the reactions of their spouse, mate, or parents; media publicity that may reveal parents; media publicity that may reveal their experience to the public; and the their experience to the public; and the reactions and criticism of neighbors and reactions and criticism of neighbors and coworkers if they learn about the sexual coworkers if they learn about the sexual assault.assault.

Interview victims with extreme sensitivity. Interview victims with extreme sensitivity. Minimize the number of times victims Minimize the number of times victims must recount details of the crime to must recount details of the crime to strangers. If possible, only one law strangers. If possible, only one law enforcement officer should be assigned enforcement officer should be assigned to the initial interview and subsequent to the initial interview and subsequent investigation.investigation.

Offer to answer any further questions Offer to answer any further questions victims may have and provide any further victims may have and provide any further assistance they may need.assistance they may need.

Encourage victims to get counseling. Encourage victims to get counseling. Explain that your recommendation for Explain that your recommendation for counseling is based on having seen other counseling is based on having seen other victims benefit from it in the past. Explain victims benefit from it in the past. Explain that they may experience posttraumatic that they may experience posttraumatic stress symptoms in the next few months. stress symptoms in the next few months. Identify and refer them to support Identify and refer them to support services for assistance.services for assistance.